16 November 2006 00:00 Central Networks’ electricity safety truck powers into Solihull

Children from St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School and St Augustine’s Infant and Junior School will be getting an electric visitor later this month when the Power Discovery Truck rolls into town.

Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, is bringing its new look electricity safety vehicle along to the Solihull schools to teach children about the dangers of electricity.

The kids will play laptop games to identify hazards, have a go at solving puzzles and watch a safety video in the specially-designed truck.

Anita Davis, Network and Public Safety Adviser with Central Networks, said: “Safety is a big priority for us and the Power Discovery Truck is a great way for us to teach children about the potential dangers of electricity substations and power lines.

“They really seem to enjoy themselves while also learning some important lessons about the potential hazards electricity can pose in an interactive and interesting way.”

With an emphasis on learning through fun, the truck also features a “Hazard Valley” – a model landscape with both urban and rural scenes containing potential hazards for the children to spot.
The newly designed truck is fitted out with a range of activities designed to make it fun and exciting for visiting youngsters to learn key safety lessons.

The Power Discovery Truck is a free educational resource for primary schools across the Midlands. Anyone who would like to request a visit from the truck to their school, safety event or show should visit www.powerdiscoveryzone.com and follow the directions in the Teacher’s Zone.

Ends

Notes to editors:
• St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School, B28 9JJ will be visited by the Power Discovery Truck on Tuesday 21 November and St Augustine’s Infant and Junior School, B91 3NZ will be visited on Wednesday 29 November;
• Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.9 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables – enough to go round the Earth almost four times – and via almost 97,000 substations;
• Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information contact:
Ellie King on 02476 183678
A selection of Central Networks pictures, including images of the Power Discovery Truck, is available free of charge to the media by registering at www.newscast.co.uk and looking under Distribution